Middlebury residents and commissioners weigh safety as state reclassifies e-bikes

Chair Carolanne Browne opened a June 24 special meeting to consider whether e-bikes should be allowed on Middlebury’s Greenway, saying the town has long treated the corridor as non-motorized and that recent state guidance reclassifying e-bikes changed the conversation.

“Initially the state e-bike guide stated that e-bikes were classified as motorized,” Browne said, and town officials noted the guidance now divides e-bikes into three classes. Browne explained classes 1 and 2 are pedal-assisted and “can go up to 20 mph,” while class 3 bikes can reach higher speeds and often include throttles and age requirements.

Residents described a range of safety concerns. Mary Stein said children riding on the Greenway have been singled out and mistreated online and in person: “the kids have also been swerved at, sworn at and spit at,” she said, adding that the online conversation had made children afraid to use the trail. Shawnalee Kwashnak described seeing riders performing wheelies and operating at speeds she considered dangerous for other trail users.

Some speakers urged distinguishing legal class 1 and 2 e-bikes from motor-driven cycles that require licensing. Jennifer Mahr said, “Some of the confusion is that what is being driven on the Greenway are not e-bikes, but are motor driven cycles and should not be used on the Greenway.”

Police-related concerns were raised: Chair Browne said staff had received calls including one incident where an older pedestrian fell after being knocked off balance; George Moreira told the meeting the police department “has received several complaints about e-bikes and they are being addressed.”

The Commission did not change the current allowance: Browne said class 1 and 2 e-bikes are permitted on the Greenway for now and that the Commission will continue to consider public input, enforcement options and education programs before any policy change.